An unmet obligation.

The Juniper Fund was started by David Morton and Melissa Arnot in order to address an unmet obligation they witnessed through their work as guides in the world's great mountains.

The mountain climbing and expedition industry employs countless local staff and laborers in order to help support the adventures many travelers seek. The reality is that some of these workers are injured or killed in the course of this work.

The local governments have inadequate systems for insuring against this in the event of tragedy.

Our work is presently focused on Nepali workers involved with climbing and expedition support in the high mountains of Nepal.

Our organization and board of directors take the position that this niche tourism industry has been beneficial in many regards to the local populations and communities. We also believe it has fallen short in providing an adequate safety net for those working in the industry who are killed, or seriously injured.

Dawa Tenzing died during an expedition on Mt. Everest in 2012, his widow Jangmu pictured here in their village Phortse.Photo: Grayson Schaffer

Ang Nimi lost her husband Dorji in the April 18th, 2014 Everest ice fall avalanche. She's pictured here with one of their four children, son Lhakpa Tshering.Photo: Grayson Schaffer

Lhamu Chhiki sits in the home she shared with her husband Chhewang Nima, who died on a 7000 meter peak expedition in 2010 when a cornice collapsed.Photo: Grayson Schaffer

Tenzing Chosang Sherpa lost his father in the Khumbu ice fall three months before he was born, in 2006.Photo: David Morton

Asman Tamang was killed on April 18th, 2014. He's survived by his wife Anita Lama seen here, and their infant daughter.

Our efforts and resources are directed in the following ways:

01

We provide funds to affected families to cover cost of living expenses for years after the loss of a worker.

02

We work to increase the education and awareness of the participants of this growing industry as to the outcomes in the event of tragedy so that there are well-informed and responsible choices on the part of the consumer.

03

We work to improve the available insurance, the standards of coverage, and mandatory minimums set by the government in regards to insurance of local workers.

04

We monitor families and individuals we support in order to help with needs such as education and health that are particular to individual situations.

Mission Statement:

To support and empower families and communities impacted by the loss of Himalayan high-altitude workers.